I see that auction you referred to, dallas4u. I think I have all that stuff, except for the TiVo serial cable. Does the particular model of modem matter? The one I have laying around at home is an old US Robotics 56k modem, not sure of the model #.

Dump Vonage. If you wanna save money for real, get a TurboNet in your TiVos so they can do their daily calls over the Internet directly. As for PPV, use DirecTV's website. It's free, and will save you some money. As for voice calls, use your cell phone.

I got Vonage over a year ago when no one else had it. It was cool. But I knew that converting a digital signal to analog so it could be carried acoustically on a digital network was insane. I got my T60s to call in a few times just to succeed at the challenge. I think I used ,#096 to force 9600bps.

DirecTV doesnt check caller ID (ANI) records anymore to see where the receivers are calling from unless you raise suspicion. I have 10 receivers in 2 different states (at 2 homes) both under one account in one city, all have access to the local channels of my home city. None call in, I order PPV on the web, and the DirecTiVos connect via broadband.

Originally posted by deltwalrus Thanks for the advice, but I think I'll keep Vonage, since I'm paying a third of what I paid SBC. And the TiVo calls are local calls, so how do you figure that makes any difference?

But I digress ...

If anyone has extra parts for this external modem setup, please PM me.

1/3 of SBC is still 100% too much if you don't need it. One less bill to pay. Use your cell phone for voice calls.

...not whether I should switch all my calls to my cell phone, which I may or may not have. Let's stay on topic.

So to summarize, the consensus seems to be that external modems are hit and miss, using the bare Vonage setup with no modification is nearly always unsuccessful, and going through a TiVoNet or other LAN method is easiest.

Originally posted by deltwalrus
So to summarize, the consensus seems to be that external modems are hit and miss, using the bare Vonage setup with no modification is nearly always unsuccessful, and going through a TiVoNet or other LAN method is easiest.

I've found (as I think others have reported) that pay-per-view calls seem to go thru OK on Vonage, even though the daily calls won't. Is there consensus on that?

My HDVR2 dials out to DirecTV just fine to report PPV and or keep my NFL Sunday Ticket on that box. But it doesn't dial out to Tivo obviously. But again, YMMV and it's possible that yours won't connect to DirecTV.

Just the opposite. Using my external US Robotics 28.8 modem works like a charm every time with Vonage.

Quote:

Originally posted by deltwalrus ...not whether I should switch all my calls to my cell phone, which I may or may not have. Let's stay on topic.

So to summarize, the consensus seems to be that external modems are hit and miss, using the bare Vonage setup with no modification is nearly always unsuccessful, and going through a TiVoNet or other LAN method is easiest.

Here's an interesting development. It's had no problems dialing out for around a month... until yesterday. I tried forcing a call (as I don't keep a phone line plugged in 24/7). It dialed out, connected, and started downloading. It looks like it's trying to download something large ("C" maybe?) as it stays connected, downloading dor around 15 minutes... then the "Phone in Use" light on my phone goes off. The status still shows "Downloading" on the DTivo, and "Phone in Use" on the DTivo as well for another minute or two, then I get the dreaded connection failed, call interrupted error. I tried 4-5 times and got the same error lastnight and this morning.

A few weeks ago my stand-alone began experiencing problems dialing in with Vonage. An idea occurred to me about reducing some of the delay in the call by calling an access number in NYC, 212 area code. Since I'm using Vonage with 500 minutes a month, using an out of area number isn't a major consideration.

So far all of my calls for the past few days have been completing about 90% again. If you want the 212 access number, just ask. My HDVR2 is doing ok on the external modem dialing in on a local number.

John

Quote:

Originally posted by dallas4u

Here's an interesting development. It's had no problems dialing out for around a month... until yesterday. I tried forcing a call (as I don't keep a phone line plugged in 24/7). It dialed out, connected, and started downloading. It looks like it's trying to download something large ("C" maybe?) as it stays connected, downloading dor around 15 minutes... then the "Phone in Use" light on my phone goes off. The status still shows "Downloading" on the DTivo, and "Phone in Use" on the DTivo as well for another minute or two, then I get the dreaded connection failed, call interrupted error. I tried 4-5 times and got the same error lastnight and this morning.

Trying the suggestion of cactus46 I set my dial in number to Baltimore, MD (I live in Tacoma, WA). Prior to this I had software version 3.0.0, after a succesful early morning call and next day reboot, I now have software version 3.1.1b.
So it seems best to long distance the call with Vonage.

Update: I finally got the modem to dial by setting the #1 dip switch low (down). There was no problem with the cable. FWIW, I took it apart and inspected it - very professional product.

Subsequently, I had reprogrammed the modem (connected to COM2 on my PC with Hyperterminal connected directly to COM2) using these codes:

AT&R1
AT&S0
AT&N10
AT&U6
AT&W0

At first, this setup worked over my POTS line, but now seems to disconnect as it is negotiating a connection (both Vonage and POTS).

A friend with Vonage had to get a setting on his account modifyed to work with his ADT security system. The setting is "packetization period" and the value is 10ms. This was late last night, and I have not had the opportunity to do any more testing.

Ever since 3.1.1.c was introduced into the pipeline last month my unit could not complete a call successfully. Prior to this it would complete approximately 80% of the calls. Coincidence? I was still running 3.1.1.b.

After some deliberation I decided to make the serial cable using instructions found in this thread (Thank You!) and connected it to a spare US Robotics 56k modem.

My first test was a bit confusing. I made the cable, connected it to the unit and tried a test call. Every time it went Off Hook and heard the dial tone it would just stop and never dial.

I re-examine the cable and found it to be correct. I started the test process again and this time I picked up on the fact that I was hearing the “Stuttering” dial tone. Meaning a voice-mail message was waiting for my intervention.

I took care of this new message. Repeating the test process I heard the “Solid” dial tone. This time the modem dialed properly, connected and life is good again.

I did all of this about two weeks ago. Finally, today I received the 3.1.1.c update. It took many calls, approx 12 to finish the download but it worked!

Thanks to all for the information, reading and entertainment!

I also noted that TechTV had planned on having a host on talking about TiVO. Their web site made reference to this forum, very cool!

I tested the modem again tonight, and it is still disconnecting during the dialing process - right when the "negotiation" gets to the static sounding part. This happens on both POTS and Vongage, so I think this is a modem or Tivo issue.

I'm glad that using an NE Coast access number worked for you, wolftroy. My reasoning for using NYC was because I figured that the Vonage main switch was in or around Edison, NJ. Using a local Phoenix access number would introduce twice as much delay since the call would have to go through twice as many routers/switches to go from Phoenix via the Internet, to NJ, and then back to the Phoenix local access number.

And therefore, using a number close to NJ would eliminate much of delay introduced by the Internet.

Just my theory.

John

Quote:

Originally posted by wolftroy1 Trying the suggestion of cactus46 I set my dial in number to Baltimore, MD (I live in Tacoma, WA). Prior to this I had software version 3.0.0, after a succesful early morning call and next day reboot, I now have software version 3.1.1b.
So it seems best to long distance the call with Vonage.

All calls made on Vonage travel via the internet to Vonage's main switch which I believe is in New Jersey. How it goes from the Vonage switch on to the Public Switched Telephone Network, PSTN, I don't know.

However, using Vonage to make the TiVo Daily Call using a local Phoenix number would at the very least route over the Internet to NJ and either via the PSTN or over the Internet back to the local Phoenix access number. The receive data from TiVo would then travel to the local access number back to the Vonage switch and come back over the Internet to my TiVo.

These delays caused by the Internet are tough for 56k modems with send and receive data. So by cutting the distance traveled by the Daily Call and slowing modems down with the external modems, for instance, many of us have found success with Vonage. Overall, slower external modems are more tolerant of the Vonage/Internet delays. My HDVR successfully completes its calls with a USR 33.6 external modem and the local Phoenix access number.

And on my series 1 TiVo after it quit working with local Phoenix numbers with its internal modem and then trying with the NYC number, it began completing its calls again. There are so many variables on Internet connections though, it is hard to say that one size fits all.

I hope this overly simplified explanation is reasonably clear?

John

Quote:

Originally posted by pigvig Are you saying/thinking that Vonage calls in Phoenix travel through the internet to a POTS switch in New York?

I have my external modem set-up and ready to go. It will dial out to the access # programed into the DTivo, but I get a "you've reached a disconnected message". Therefore, I cannot connect to anything. Does anyone know an access # I can put in? If so, how do I change the faulty one already there?

OK, I got it to dial out and connect (I was putting a ,#319,1360" and got rid of the ",1360" (area code). Anyhow, it has sat on "negotiating" for 5 minutes now. How long does it take to get the local #'s????

Yeah, it finally connected and I received my local #'s. I tried to force 2 daily calls and it will not connect stating it is still dealing with the last call and then goes into "Housekeeping" mode. It had a call scheduled for 7:15pm PST but it ailed. Another one is set for 12:15 tonight. I guess I will see how that goes tomorrow morning.